Ray Rice - H 2014
AP ImagesThe NFL Players Association is appealing the league’s indefinite suspension of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice. The union says Rice deserves due process and a hearing.
Rice, who was also cut loose from the Ravens, was suspended indefinitely from the NFL after video of him knocking out his then-fiancee was made public.
Since then, questions have swirled about what the NFL knew about the incident, and when. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has also come under fire from critics, who say he did not punish Rice severely enough when allegations of the domestic abuse initially came to light several months ago.
Read the NFL Players Association’s full statement below:
“Today, the NFL Players Association formally filed an appeal of the indefinite suspension of Ray Rice by the NFL. This action taken by our union is to protect the due process rights of all NFL players.
“The NFLPA appeal is based on supporting facts that reveal a lack of a fair and impartial process, including the role of the office of the Commissioner of the NFL. We have asked that a neutral and jointly selected arbitrator hear this case as the Commissioner and his staff will be essential witnesses in the proceeding and thus cannot serve as impartial arbitrators.”
